Why we need a blueprint for Tomorrow’s World

Stine Wilhelmsen, Common Vision Energy and Water Millennial Working Group What will citizens need and want from future energy and water systems, and what changes are required for their expectations to be met?

This heading set the scene for ‘Tomorrow’s World’ - a one day workshop jointly led by Sustainability First and the National Infrastructure Commission – in which the speakers did their best to set the scene despite the plethora of known unknown clouding the horizon. What will the regulatory landscape look like post-Brexit? In what ways will smart technology continue to revolutionize the utilities industry? How will climate change impact our water and energy security?

When Common Vision invited me to come along to the workshop I was intrigued by the opportunity to hear how representatives from the water and energy sector, regulators, and organisations representing rural communities, low-income households, and the older generation viewed future opportunities and challenges.

Minutes into the first panel, I was struck by the fact that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for future energy and water demands. People will continue to need and want different things, depending on where and how they live. Whereas millennials growing up in the digital era might get excited about the premise of smart technology controlling their heating, a pensioner could get equally worried about the demise of familiar services. To avoid leaving anyone behind the water and energy industry needs to provide affordable, tailored solutions for all pockets of society.

Generation rent This rings equally true for initiatives aiming at engaging people in reducing water and energy consumption - a vital aspect of meeting carbon emissions targets. Campaigns encouraging people to invest in energy and water efficiency measures such as insulation is likely to fall flat on an audience of Generation Rent-ers used to moving house every 6 – 12 months.

As an additional 1.8 million households joins the pool of private renters by 2025, finding ways to a) support renters in making their rented properties more energy and water efficient, and b) incentivising landlords to invest in long-term solutions, becomes increasingly important.

The muggy minefield of renting means that many tenants will be deterred from investing in efficiency measures. Even in our group discussion we were unsure about what rights renters had when it came to switching energy providers, or installing a water meter. By 2025, more than half of 20 – 39 year olds will be faced with this issue.

Considering that 90% of households will still be older properties in 2030, the government and the industry should both take responsibility for informing renters of their rights and incentivising landlords to improve the energy and water efficiency of properties.

A millennial perspective Despite the improbability of ever owning a property, all is not lost for the millennial generation. As the first generation to grow up as digital natives we’re more likely to accept new technological solutions such as smart meters and appliances. This technology bears promise of more personalised services and more efficient use of resources. In fact, energy demand has fallen by 7% in the last decade, despite population growth. This is promising news for a generation faced with the looming threat of climate change’s impact energy and water security.

This brings me to the third take-away from the day. It is predicted that we’ll see an average temperature rise of 2°C in SE England by 2040 if emissions are not reduced. This means more unpredictable weather; wetter winters, drier summers, as well as increased risk of flooding, drought and heat waves. With this in mind, we need industry leaders to present blueprints for a decarbonised, secure energy and water sector, or plans for innovative behaviour change campaigns. The speakers at the ‘Tomorrow’s World’ workshop did a good job of painting a picture of the challenges ahead, but we still have a way to go in finding solutions to these.

Luckily, there’s loads of simple things we can all do to become a more “ideal” energy and water household, while we wait for the industry and regulators to come up with solutions.

Be smarter. Luckily, we’re all responsible for the energy we use in our homes. Figures such as 150 litres of water per day, or 34.82 MWh (3 tonnes of oil equivalent) of energy per year, can be hard to comprehend, but what’s worth remembering is using less energy and water can be fun, simple and save you both money and time. Go through your daily routine & choose some hacks that works for you. This might be ordering a free water saving shower head from your water supplier or switching your lightbulbs to LED. A quick Google will lead you to loads of tips, or get started at waterwise.co.uk or www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Make the switch to a green energy provider. Even if you’re renting this is super simple, and can help save you money too. There are several 100% renewable energy providers out there, including Good Energy, Ecotricity and Bulb. Visit thebigdeal.com to find out more.

In line with the ethos of “Tomorrow’s World” workshop, a solution shared, is a solution doubled, so speak to your flatmates, friends, family, and get them involved in curbing their water and energy use.

About the author

Jon was, until March 2014, Head of Sustainability with Northern Powergrid (the electricity distribution company for the North East and Yorkshire) and before that Head of Government Relations since 2000. Jon’s role included regional and national stakeholder management on climate change and low carbon activities to assist the company in its understanding of the requirements of electricity generators and customers. He was a long-standing member of the CBI’s energy policy committee and the CBI’s northeast regional council. Earlier in his career, Jon spent 8 years with BNFL as Head of Government Relations, and almost twenty years with the civil service at a senior level, including in the Department of Energy, HM Treasury and the DTI. He has a first class degree in mathematics from Cambridge University and a doctorate in general relativity. He is a Visiting Professor of Practice at the University of Newcastle and a Fellow of the Energy Institute.